Simply put, Kiva seeks to empower unique
entrepreneurs all over the world through the power
of micro-lending. In 2005, founders, Matt Flannery
and Jessica Jackley, launched this powerful
concept after seeing firsthand the initiative and
perseverance of small business entrepreneurs in
east Africa. With loans of $100 - $150, they saw
families transformed from poverty to relative
prosperity, buying fish, sugar, and other dry
goods. Kiva connects lenders to screened
entrepreneurs all over the world via their website. Lenders
receive journal updates, track repayments, and marvel as they, too,
become a part of a community’s effort to grow and develop. Loans are repaid in six
to twelve months and lenders are given the option to cash out at that time or reinvest
in another project. There are a multitude of projects to choose from, in just about
every corner of the world. If you have a loved one with a passion for investing in the
future and seeing life-changing
results, Kiva may be the place to get
them connected.
http://www.kiva.org
For the Travel Bug
Consider volunteer tourism as an
alternative to the staid cruise pack-
ages and mainstream resorts. Crooked
Trails is a non-profit organization of-
fering incredible opportunities for
travelers to volunteer in exotic
locales such as Thailand, Nepal, and
Peru. While there they live with a
host family and are immersed in the cultural diversity, educated by locals and
the staff, and given an opportunity to work alongside people building schools,
recovering from Tsunami damage, and many other village related projects. The
staff has forged strong bonds in these locations and the Crooked Trails, as a
whole, understand the importance of responsible travel principles. In addition,
a portion of your trip fee is tax-deductible with funds benefitting local ef-
forts. Perhaps next year, your gift will take someone special (and you as
well!) to India or Kenya.
http://www.crookedtrails.com
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